Niue flag Photo: 123RF
As Niue celebrates 50 years of self-government, or Pule Fakamotu, University of Auckland's Centre for Pacific and Global Health will host its first Niue Research Symposium at its South Auckland campus.
The symposium will be launched 5 October at the University of Auckland's South Campus in Manukau, with the aim to establish a network of professionals and academic students.
Niue has a significant number of diaspora, primarily in Aotearoa, with over 30,000 people who identify as Niuean living in New Zealand.
The university said the event will also showcase the Niue diaspora's success throughout a range of industries including healthcare, education, business, technology and the arts. Community leaders from churches, schools, sports and other groups will also have an opportunity to connect with one another at the inaugural event.
Sir Collin Tukuitonga Photo: FOS Samoa
Associate Dean Pacific and Associate Professor of Public Health, and co-director of the Centre for Pacific and Global Health, Sir Collin Tukuitonga will be a key speaker at the event.
He said holding the symposium became necessary to meet the cultural and professional needs of Niue professionals and academic students to ensure future successes.
"As we mark and celebrate 50 years of self-government, it's crucial to track the progress of our journey in Aotearoa and the region, to understand how the sons and daughters of Niue have fared so far from home and what the needs of our next generation will be."
Other key contributors will include Reverend Igatia Mokole, Coral and Brendon Pasisi, Professor Judith McCool, Dr Jess Pasisi, Associate Professor Vili Nosa, Dr Amio Matenga-Ikihele, Dr Nuhisifa Williams, Sonny Liuvale, and Ioane Aleke Fa'avae, as well as upcoming PhD candidates and Masters students.
The symposium will also highlight Pacific-led research undertaken by Niue academics.
Sir Collin will give a presentation on some of the research projects that he's led including a passive cooling system designed to reduce the harms associated with heat stress.
The 'cool roofs' trial involves painting an affordable, non-toxic solution on roofs that reflects some of the sun's hottest rays, reducing the temperature inside.
The trial is taking place across countries particularly vulnerable to heat-related health impacts including Niue, that the University team are working closely with.
"The climate crisis will lead to increased air temperatures in Niue, plus sea level rise, with major impacts on people's lives and livelihoods, including their health and wellbeing, sleep patterns and productivity," Sir Collin Tukuitonga said.
As well as highlighting research, a mentorship programme will also be established at the symposium, allowing seasoned and experienced professionals to help usher in the next generation of early career professionals and young academic students from the Niue diaspora.